Archive for January, 2010

Septuagesima

Posted on January 31st, 2010

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 Football season is over, and once again my Vikings lost in tragic fashion. So close. Which can only mean one thing: it’s time to start thinking about the Twins. Pitchers and Catchers report on Feb. 21. Spring training is almost here. Today is our reminder that a different kind of spring training is almost here. Septuagesima is the first of three Sundays known as “Pre-Lent.” We are now counting down to Easter, reminding us that the journey of Lent, our Christian training camp, is coming. I once played trombone in the University of Minnesota Marching Band. About a month before we were to report, I got a letter in the mail advising me to get in shape – go running, exercise…

Categories: Sermons

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Saints' game plan: injure Manning

Posted on January 29th, 2010

Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams on his defensive scheme to injure Manning: “You hope [Manning] doesn’t get back up and play again.” Last week, the Saints injured Vikings QB Brett Favre in a dirty hit that NFL officials admit should have been penalized. Saints defenders have been fined $30,000 for their play in that game, which is a laughably mild censure. I always root for the NFC team in the Super Bowl. Not this year. The Saints style of dirty play has no place in sports.

Categories: Theology

I am, quite literally, a mess

Posted on January 27th, 2010

This morning during Bible Study I managed to spill tea all over my precious Byzantine Textform Greek New Testament. Embarrassing, and now my favorite book is marred. Then, for lunch I heated up some leftover egg casserole from the March for Life brunch. I broke the plastic fork in mid-shovel, sending the egg bake flying all over my office. And then, there’s this:

Categories: Miscellaneous

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Skol Vikings!

Posted on January 24th, 2010

It’s almost time. Here’s something to keep you busy until the appointed hour.

Categories: Theology

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Readability Chronicles: 2 Peter 1:18

Posted on January 23rd, 2010

Second in an occasional series comparing the readability of NKJ and ESV. The Epistle for tomorrow (Transfiguration) is 2 Peter 1:16-21. Verse 18 ESV seemed awkward, so I compared it to NKJ. ESV: We ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. NKJ: And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. The most difficult part in either version is “borne” – that’s not a word most people use regularly. When listening instead of reading, “borne” is easily confused with “born.” NKJ’s “came from” is much more natural. The only other significant difference is in the transition to the second part of the verse, after the…

Categories: Theology

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"We are not saved by our ethics": Sermon by Prof. Pless before the March for Life

Posted on January 22nd, 2010

Immanuel hosts the Divine Service for Lutherans for Life before the March for Life in Washington DC every year. This morning we were privileged to have Professor John Pless (of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN) preaching. This is his outstanding sermon: Lutherans for Life Service 22 January 2010 Immanuel Lutheran Church Alexandria, VA +Jesu Juva+ In the Light I John 1:5- 2:5 The Psalmist prayed “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” We are living in a world where the shadow of death seems to ever lengthen, casting its cruel shade over public and private existence. Last week in Haiti an earthquake shattered the land causing buildings to crumble down delivering death to…

Categories: Theology

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When do you genuflect in the Creed?

Posted on January 20th, 2010

Not everyone genuflects (or, alternatively, bows) at the same place in the Creed. My practice has followed what Dr. David Scaer insisted was correct, that of genuflecting at the et homo factus est. Others genuflect/bow earlier, I suspect so that they can stand at the crucifixus (I stand at the et resurrexit), which is sometimes explained as being a confession that the crucifixion is the beginning of Christ’s exaltation/glorification. I get the point theologically, but as a practical matter I’ve never bought it. Plus, if there seems to be a tradition that doesn’t contradict the gospel, then we should keep it. At least, that’s how I read the Confessions. Shortly after Christmas I asked my friend, Rev. Charles McClean, about it, since he is…

Categories: Liturgy

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March for Life this Friday

Posted on January 19th, 2010

Friday, January 22 is the March for Life, an annual peaceful demonstration in our nation’s capital asking for the right to life for every human person to be protected. Lutherans will gather under the Lutherans for Life banner at 12pm at 7th & Independence.  Besides the participation from locals, Lutherans from around the country usually join us. We know of a bus from Indiana and another from Michigan who will be with us, and we just heard today of a school group from Louisiana who also will be in attendance. You are cordially invited to begin the day with worship; Divine Service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria (1801 Russell Road, 22301) at 9 a.m. The previously-announced preacher, Rev. Matthew Harrison…

Categories: Theology

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The structure of the Small Catechism

Posted on January 19th, 2010

I mentioned in a Sunday Bible class recently how my friend Pr. Fast showed me, when I was just out of seminary, the structure of the Catechism, which should also be the structure of our Christian life. That structure is: Repentance, Faith, Holy Living. A parishioner emailed me asking me to explain a bit further. Here’s what I wrote: The Ten Commandments preach repentance, i.e., they show us our sin (2nd use of the Law, as a mirror), revealing to us that we are idolaters, misusers of God’s name, Sabbath breakers, people who dishonor parents, murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, and covet. The Apostles’ Creed is just the opposite of the Commandments; the Commandments show us what God demands, while the Creed shows us…

Categories: Theology

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